Consumers and taxpayers could save $5.2 billion annually if half of the unnecessary visits to physicians were avoided by more personal health management including greater use of OTC medicines. (Paul A. London and Associates, June 2011)

On average, physicians say more than 10% of office visits result from minor ailments that could be self-managed by patients, including by the use of OTC medicines. This amounts to tens of millions of unnecessary appointments each year that could be avoided. . (Paul A. London and Associates, June 2011)

88% of physicians recommend patients try to address minor ailments with self-care interventions, including the use of OTC medicines, before seeking professional care. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

93% of U.S. adults prefer to treat their minor ailments with OTC medicines before seeking professional care. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

85% of U.S. parents prefer to treat their children's minor ailments with an OTC medicine before seeking professional care. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

68% of parents reported having given their child an OTC medicine late at night for a sudden medical the child experienced. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

More than 92% of physicians believe the new flexible spending arrangement (FSA) regulations, which require consumers to obtain a prescription for OTC medicines in order to be reimbursed for these expenses, will increase the burden on medical professionals. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

40% of adults in the U.S. have avoided taking sick days from work because they used an OTC medicine. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

U.S. retail sales of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in  2010 (excluding Wal-Mart) were $17 billion. (The Nielsen Company, 2011)

There are approximately 1,000 active ingredients used in the more than 100,000 OTC products available in the marketplace today. (CHPA, 2001)

Since 1976, 106 ingredients, dosages, or indications have made the "switch" from prescription to OTC status. (CHPA, 2011)

81% of U.S. adults use OTC medicines as a first response to minor ailments. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

Using OTC medications to treat common upper respiratory infections saves the U.S. healthcare system and economy $4.75 billion each year. (Northwestern University, 2004)

Consumer use of OTC heartburn medications saves the U.S. healthcare system $757 million annually, and saves the average consumer $174 annually. (CHPA and The Nielsen Company, 2009)

85% of American consumers think it is important to have access to OTCs to relieve minor medical problems. (American Pharmacists Association, 2000)

A majority of Americans (92%) believe that OTC medicines are safe and effective. (StrategyOne for CHPA, November 24, 2010)

Adults 65 years and older consume 33% of all OTC medicines sold in the United States. (American Pharmacists Association, 2000)

Of the more than $1.2 trillion spent on health care in 2000 in the United States, over $19 billion paid for nonprescription medicines - less than 2 cents of every health care dollar. (CHPA, 2001)

94 percent of consumers report satisfaction with available OTC heartburn remedies. (CHPA and The Nielsen Company, 2009)

65% of Americans wish that some of the prescription medicines they take would be made available over-the-counter. (National Consumers League, 2000)

Most individuals take the necessary precautions, such as reading directions before taking a nonprescription product for the first time (95%), reading labels to choose appropriate OTC medicines (89%), and reading about possible side effects and interactions (91%). (Roper Starch Worldwide, 2001)

In 2004, 18.9 percent of Americans reported that they had taken one or more dietary supplements in the past year. (Institute of Medicine)

By specific condition, Americans use dietary supplements most often for menopause, followed by cough, cold, flu, or sore throat in second, and allergy or sinus conditions in third. (Roper Starch Worldwide, 2001)